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Usherette (Rocky Horror)
Encyclopedia
The Usherette refers to a character or character in disguise from Richard O'Brien
's musical The Rocky Horror Show
. She opens the production singing "Science Fiction/Double Feature
", backed up by a phantom chorus and then reappears at the end to sing a reprise of that song. The part is one of two character combinations portrayed by the same actor (Dr.Scott/Eddie is the other). The Usherette is almost always doubled with the actress who plays Magenta, another character from the play (although Richard O'Brien did take over the role for one week in 2007 at the New Wimbledon Theatre).
Patricia Quinn
originated both characters in the original 1973 Royal Court Theatre production. Originally produced in the theatre's second space known as "The Theatre Upstairs". The script is vague in regards to this character, referring to her as Magenta (As Usherette). The tray she carried as the usherette contains a prop with the words "Strawberry Time", which the cast then expanded to call her "Miss Strawberry Time", however the character is not referred to, as such, in the musical. It was not until the show opened in the US in 1974 that she was first known as Trixie, having the name written across the front of the tray. During the shows brief run on Broadway in 1975 at the Belasco Theatre, the Usherette is credited as "The Belasco Popcorn Girl."
The Usherette was not featured in the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show
. The filmmakers and producers wanted a montage of movie clips and stills to fade in and out during the song and Richard O'Brien was asked to record that opening song. It was believed when actress Patricia Quinn
was offered the part she initially refused the role due to losing the opening song. Quinn's lips were shot as she lip-synched the song, creating the iconic opening.
While the character is missing from the movie version, fans who attend the screenings in costume and re-enact the entire show have adapted the character to their performances for decades. Many "Shadow Casts" have become very creative with how the character performs during this opening number. Everything from screen accurate recreations from the professional stage productions to "Stripper" style burlesque that could well be an homage to Richard O'Brien's stage show of the same name.
Actresses who have played the Usherette include:
-* Appears on cast recording.
Richard O'Brien
Richard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
's musical The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show is a long-running British horror comedy stage musical, which opened in London on 19 June 1973. It was written by Richard O'Brien, produced and directed by Jim Sharman. It came eighth in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals"...
. She opens the production singing "Science Fiction/Double Feature
Science Fiction/Double Feature
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" is the opening song to the original 1973 musical stage production, The Rocky Horror Show as well as its 1975 film counterpart The Rocky Horror Picture Show, book, music and lyrics by Richard O'Brien, musical arrangements by Richard Hartley...
", backed up by a phantom chorus and then reappears at the end to sing a reprise of that song. The part is one of two character combinations portrayed by the same actor (Dr.Scott/Eddie is the other). The Usherette is almost always doubled with the actress who plays Magenta, another character from the play (although Richard O'Brien did take over the role for one week in 2007 at the New Wimbledon Theatre).
Patricia Quinn
Patricia Quinn
Patricia Quinn, Lady Stephens is a Northern Irish actress best known for her role as Magenta in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show . Hers were the red lips that appeared in the film's opening song "Science Fiction/Double Feature"...
originated both characters in the original 1973 Royal Court Theatre production. Originally produced in the theatre's second space known as "The Theatre Upstairs". The script is vague in regards to this character, referring to her as Magenta (As Usherette). The tray she carried as the usherette contains a prop with the words "Strawberry Time", which the cast then expanded to call her "Miss Strawberry Time", however the character is not referred to, as such, in the musical. It was not until the show opened in the US in 1974 that she was first known as Trixie, having the name written across the front of the tray. During the shows brief run on Broadway in 1975 at the Belasco Theatre, the Usherette is credited as "The Belasco Popcorn Girl."
The Usherette was not featured in the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
. The filmmakers and producers wanted a montage of movie clips and stills to fade in and out during the song and Richard O'Brien was asked to record that opening song. It was believed when actress Patricia Quinn
Patricia Quinn
Patricia Quinn, Lady Stephens is a Northern Irish actress best known for her role as Magenta in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show . Hers were the red lips that appeared in the film's opening song "Science Fiction/Double Feature"...
was offered the part she initially refused the role due to losing the opening song. Quinn's lips were shot as she lip-synched the song, creating the iconic opening.
While the character is missing from the movie version, fans who attend the screenings in costume and re-enact the entire show have adapted the character to their performances for decades. Many "Shadow Casts" have become very creative with how the character performs during this opening number. Everything from screen accurate recreations from the professional stage productions to "Stripper" style burlesque that could well be an homage to Richard O'Brien's stage show of the same name.
Actresses who have played the Usherette include:
- Patricia QuinnPatricia QuinnPatricia Quinn, Lady Stephens is a Northern Irish actress best known for her role as Magenta in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show . Hers were the red lips that appeared in the film's opening song "Science Fiction/Double Feature"...
- 1973 Original London Cast* - Jamie DonnellyJamie DonnellyJamie Donnelly is an American actress.Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, Donnelly is best known as Jan, one of the Pink Ladies from the film version of Grease, a role she got at the age of 30...
- 1974 original Los Angeles Roxy Cast* - Daphne Rubin-VegaDaphne Rubin-VegaDaphne Rubin-Vega is a dancer, singer, and actress. She is best known for originating the role of Mimi Marquez in the Broadway musical Rent, and the role of Lucy, in the Off-Broadway play Jack Goes Boating.-Biography:Rubin-Vega was born in Panama City, Panama, the daughter of Daphine Vega, a...
- 2000 Broadway Revival Cast* - Shona White- 2006/2007 UK Tour (2006)
- Claire Parrish - 2006/2007 UK Tour (2007)
- Maria Franzen - 2008/2009 UK Tour
- Kara Lane - 2009/2010 UK Tour
-* Appears on cast recording.